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Juventus and Roma make winning starts
Serie A title hopefuls Juventus and AS Roma made winning starts on Sunday, gaining an early advantage on rivals AC Milan and Inter who were held to draws on Saturday. Juventus enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win at Brescia with goals from European Footballer of the Year Pavel Nedved, Frenchman David Trezeguet and Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic on his debut. Substitute Vincenzo Montella scored for Roma in their 1-0 victory over promoted Fiorentina. Fiorentina defender William Viali and Roma striker Antonio Cassano were sent off in the first half. Paolo Di Canio celebrated his return to Serie A after eight seasons in British football by scoring the penalty that gave Lazio a 1-0 win at Sampdoria. Promoted Palermo and Cagliari enjoyed 1-0 wins on the opening day with Siena and Bologna their victims. Champions Milan were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Livorno on Saturday and Inter had to come back to secure an identical result at Chievo. Of the likely title challengers it was Juventus who made the best impression on the opening weekend with their potent strikers showing their full value. Czech international Nedved put Fabio Capello's side on their way with a header from a corner in the 34th minute and four minutes later Trezeguet doubled the lead. Juve never looked in trouble and wrapped up victory when substitute Ibrahimovic, a 16 million euro signing from Ajax Amsterdam, added the third in the 59th minute. Picking up the ball with his back to goal, Ibrahimovic turned two men before firing a low shot under the body of Brescia keeper Luca Castellazzi. MUCH TOUGHER It was much tougher for Roma against Fiorentina, who were making their return to the top flight after a two-year absence. The visitors were reduced to 10 men after just 13 minutes when Viali was dismissed for pulling down Francesco Totti as he headed goalwards. The Florence side were not deterred, however, and with Fabrizio Miccoli dangerous in attack they caused Roma plenty of trouble. Roma's numerical advantage was lost on the stroke of halftime when Cassano was sent off after a petulant push in the face of Fiorentina defender Giorgio Chiellini. Roma's German coach Rudi Voeller brought on Montella at the break and within eight minutes he scored the decisive goal when he raced on to a long ball from Italy international Daniele De Rossi and beat advancing Fiorentina keeper Cristiano Lupatelli. There was a big smile on the face of Lazio's Di Canio who, almost 16 years after making his debut for the Rome club, returned to action for the club he supported as a boy and lived up to his reputation as the fans' favourite. Di Canio's superb heeled flick put Simone Inzaghi through, Sampdoria keeper Francesco Antonioli brought down the Lazio striker and was dismissed. Inzaghi fancied taking the penalty himself but Di Canio was not in a mood to take no for an answer and after a brief altercation strode up to slot home the goal that proved enough. Luca Toni was on target for Sicilians Palermo as they celebrated their first Serie A match for 31 years with a 1-0 home win over Siena. Sardinians Cagliari have only been out of the top flight for four years but they will also be pleased with a winning start after a Mauro Esposito goal, set up by former Italy striker Gianfranco Zola, gave them victory over Bologna. Bologna's Federico Giunti missed a penalty five minutes from the end of the match. |
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